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Portugal lacks strategy for higher education and science - OECD

Portugal lacks a coordinated strategy for science, innovation and higher education, which leads to "inconsistent measures," according to the conclusions of a preliminary report from the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD).

The OECD re-evaluated the sector in 2017, for the first time since 2006, at the Portuguese Government's request.

The diagnosis and the recommendations made will be presented on Friday morning at a public session in Lisbon, attended by the Minister of Science, Technology and Higher Education, Manuel Heitor, Minister for the Economy, Manuel Caldeira Cabral.

According to the OECD, of which Portugal is a member, the country has a "long tradition" of separating and differentiating policies for science and higher education and supporting the transfer of knowledge to companies.

According to the summary of the report and its recommendations, this approach leads to a duplication of efforts, inconsistent measures and different sources of funding, especially in science and higher education.

In the absence of a concerted strategy, OECD experts call for a National Strategy for Knowledge and Innovation with clear, long-term guidelines for higher education, science and innovation.

According to the OECD, funding must be predictable and set out based on multiannual frameworks reviewed every four to five years.

According to the OECD, the National Strategy for Knowledge and Innovation should be the basis for a "new generation" of operational programmes to support competitiveness and "human capital." these would be supported by European funds for 2021-2028, and involve the ministers of Science, Technology and Higher Education, Education, Economy and Finance.

Despite the increased participation of Portuguese companies in programmes to support innovation, national patent registrations remain below the OECD average.

The OECD also calls for more systematic direct State support for innovative projects, despite welcoming the tax incentives granted to companies that invest in research and development.

The final OECD report on the state of the scientific, higher education and innovation system in Portugal will be published in the Spring.

Founded in 1961, the OECD is made up of 35 countries, including Portugal, which was a founding member.

The organization's mission is "to promote policies to achieve sustained economic growth and employment and to improve the quality of life in the Member States."